[Rhobbiep]

Checked in for flight to Orlando on 16th February 2008 via Dallas Fort Worth. First leg of flight was business class to Dallas, second leg of flight was first class to orlando.

1. Upon arrival staff told me there was a problem with my ticket and I had to pay an additional £1,200+ on the spot if not, we could not fly. Gobsmacked I paid up due to us running late could not afford to waste time identifying problem at this stage. This ticket was paid for 5 weeks before flying. Why had noone contacted me previously before this to raise this issue? Reservations staff dealt with me directly by telephone and assured me all payments met!

2 Flight took off 3-4 hours late causing anxiety of connectng flight in Dallas.

3. Arrival at Dallas. My son's suitcase was missing. We waited to the very end of luggage on conveyor belt delivered. Staff was rude and told us to walk around and look it may have been taken off. After advising staff we have waited for over 50 mins he then scribbled a note down and advised us to report it in Orlando. We then left racing to another terminal for connecting flight.

4. Arrival at Terminal for connecting flight. Staff advised that my First Class Seats have now been taken and there is no room for us on this flight. After complaining that maybe First class passengers should be shown a bit more compassion he then advised he could fit one of us on the flight and the other flies tomorrow. This seat would have been Coach. Furiously I told him not an option and he told me to come back tomorrow. I requested that accommodation should be found for my son and I to be informed the he can supply put me up cots to sleep at the terminal! Horrified I made arrangements to check in Downtown in Dallas at a Hotel and covered costs of travel and overnight stay.

5. Arrival back to Dallas Ft Worth. Staff have now advised me that tickets are for coach class only. I advised staff that I had paid for First Class and what happens? Staff shrugged shoulders and stated there was not availability in first and I will need to take it up myself with revenues section for a refund. Totally disgusted I walked away.

6. Arrived Sunday in Orlando. Still only one suitcase arrived. Missing case reported and staff told me to look all over holding area in case luggage was misplaced After 40 minutes and no success. Staff took my details and I left for hotel.

7. 4 Further calls made to Airline that sunday and no case or information on luggage could be found.

8. Monday was spent locked up in Hotel room as constant periodic calls made to hotel chasing my son's luggage. Case not found.

9. Tuesday. Calls made in the morning. No luggage. Staff advised they will realease $100 for me to buy clothes for my son. Now I ask you. I have a 16 yrs old trendy lad. What the hell could I buy for $100??? Further more, I had to buy it out of my own money and then claim a refund cheque at the airport!!!! Did they forget they already took £1,200 further off me at Gatwick Airport? I did not bother and we stayed home. Called in afternoon and informed luggage found and will arrive 8oclock that evening. I was told to give 90mins to clear luggage and then it will be booked and delivered to my hotel that evening. We waited in all evening. No luggage or courtesy phone call advising of any difficulty.

10. Wednesday. Awoke very dejected and fustrated and went for a swim. On way back staff saw I was awake and informed me that luggage turned up this am at 5.30! So my weeks holiday now consisted of Wednesday thurs and Fri!

11. Sat. checked in at Orlando for flight to Dallas. no problems at last.......so I thought. Upon first class passengers being asked to board I went up with my son to be told I need to wait to one side as I was randomly picked for enhanced security search and as this was not done downstairs (where I add security is and very slow and chaotic) I was searched in full view of passengers at boarding gate making me feel like a criminal. As a first class passenger I ended up boarding last!! behind coach and standby passengers. I vented my disgust and was told by staff to have a nice flight!!!!!!!!

Can anyone beat that??


Robert Patten

[pattis]

????????? If you were flying from LGW to MCO via DFW. Why were you looking for luggage in DFW. Are you aware that you can check your luggage all the way thru to final dest.? Possibly you had 2 separate res. In this case luggage can be checked thru as long as you provide other reserv info. (Paperwork). Also, as to flight leaving late you said you were concerned about conx time in DFW. 50 min and you were running around looking for luggage. This makes no sense at all. So , if this was all the case and you did arrive at gate late and there were other passengers awaiting 1st class seats, of course they were taken away.
As far as luggage not arriving, it is unfortunate of course, however when this happens go on with your business, and still enjoy your vacation or attend to your business meetings...don't just sit in the hotel room brooding over it. As far as $100 for clothing. Well it may not buy designer clothing it is meant as an interim expense, until luggage arrives. Not a new wardrobe. It's not the end of the world, your son might adapt to it better than you think. Of course it is all frustrating, but the important thing is everyone is safe. FYI...make sure all bags are checked thru to final dest in future. Good Luck

[jimworcs]

Pattis, I am afraid you are not correct. If you are a UK citizen and you are travelling to the US, you cannot have your luggage checked through, you must collect your luggage at the point of arrival, clear customs and then recheck your baggage for your onward journey. On the return flight, luggage can be checked through.

Jim

[pattis]

Really? Okay my bad. I apologize for being wrong. What is interesting however is that I do know of some people who live in U.K. (not sure where exactly). I have talked to these people numerous times and I know that thier luggage was delayed recently, and was checked all the way thru from GLA to LGW to U.S. Maybe they have dual citizenships, I don't know. Anyway thanks for the correction.

[jimworcs]

Your welcome, however your example doesn't address the problem. GLA and LGW are both in the UK, so of course this luggage can be checked through to the destination in the US. It is at the US end at which luggage is required to be cleared at the first point of entry. So for example, checked through luggage from GLA to LGW to JFK to CLT for example, the luggage would travel from Glasgow to JFK no problem. However, at JFK, they would have to collect their luggage, go through security and customs, put the luggage back into the system and then collect the bags again in CLT. However, the reverse journey would allow the luggage to go directly from Charlotte to Glasgow.